The Obama movement: is it real and persistent? What will it do, and how?

[lwcon]

The word "movement" has frequently been used to describe Barack Obama's campaign and support base, including by the campaign itself.

What are your expectations for what becomes of that movement in the months and years ahead?

Was "movement" hyperbole or mostly apropos of campaign-phase support, or is there a sustainable movement that will impact politics during Obama's term -- and maybe even beyond?

If you expect the movement will persist, how do you think it will manifest itself, and with what results?

[firedupdem]

1. Based on the emails I still receive, the house parties that are

still happening, the DVD's and information for people hosting these parties, the fact that you can chime in on the change.gov website and somebody is actually reading the comments speak volumes to me. I don't know what to call it..but it's a refreshing change and I don't see it dropping off anytime soon.

[madamesilverspurs]

2. This was the subject

of some very lively conversation at a Christmas party this last weekend. Most of the attendees (which included many Republicans)had voted for Obama, and many had worked on his campaign. We were all in agreement that the task facing Obama is too large for any one person, that we all have to continue to help in the effort. Grassroots organizations will get lots of exercize. And our community organizers will have their hands full for quite some time, and for their efforts will receive our immeasurable gratitude and respect. We have much "sweat equity" to look forward to, but it's part of the price of taking our country back from those who tried to turn it into a private treasure trove. Personally, I'm hoping that the callouses thus gained will help to restore some productivity to political discourse.

[FrenchieCat]

3. The Movement has only just begun!

Wait till the C-Span discussions on Health Care, and the Republican's attempt to obstruct....
and you will see the movement rear its head in all of its glory.

Till then "The Movement" is keeping Obama's approval ratings high,
regardless of how hard the Corporate media tries to assert control
over such.

Part of the Movement's objective is to have a say without the corporate media
trying to manipulate the electorate's public opinion.
Once the Media understands better that part of the Change in doing business in
Washington is the part that they are to play versus the part that they are trying to play,
they will fall in line, although they will fight this change every step of the way.

The Movement's ultimate goal is to achieve open government in where the voices of the people
speak louder and matter more than the voices of special corporate interest and their
lobbyist and their money....so that the government can become good again, and maintain
a focus on helping the populace as a whole of this nation in their pursuit of happiness.

[lwcon]

4. I'll be impressed with the movement if...

... it can move elected Dems to cowboy-up for single-payer.

The conditions are far more favorable for it than ever before, and I hope we can blow past all the incrementalism and do the right thing.

[FrenchieCat]

6. The movement is not meant to impress you.....

as the goal of it is to get common sense legislation that can be achieved quickly and efficiently to pass in benefitting the majority of Americans. The goal was not to turn the entire system on its head, scrap it and start totally anew.

After 8 years of divisive politics, years of nothing being done to improve our health care system, more years of the demonization of Government controlled programs, and 50 million people who needed insurance yesterday, if it will take passing single payer health care prior for you to be impressed, I believe that there will be no pleasing you.

I didn't vote for single payer, because it wasn't offered by any Democrat running with even a chance in hell of winning....so you can see that in you waiting for something that was not part of the platform, you in effect moot yourself in what your final conclusion of this "movement" will be.

It's similar as one stating that when Obama has achieved peace on the Earth everywhere...only then will they be satisfied with his performance as President.

Moving the goalpost in order to be disatisfied is a clever ploy....so have fun with that.
As for me, as part of the movement, as opposed to a critic of it while sitting on the sideline, I'm going to keep it real. :hi:

[lwcon]

8. Did I say that...

single-payer is the only way the movement can impress? No, but feel free to "keep it real" by pretending I did.

Apparently, wanting something important that wasn't part of Obama's platform "moots" progressives. Interesting.

Why, with a country hungry for real leadership and change and with a captivating orator entering the White House, should we cower in a corner if we want real leadership and change?

It used to be that every major industrialized nation had universal health care, except for two -- the U.S. and South Africa. Then South Africa got it. Pardon me for committing the sin of wanting such a rarefied program to be provided here.

And what are these "divisive politics" of which you speak? The fundamental DC story in recent years is hard-core rightwingers and more than enough accommodating Democrats (Blue Dogs, Bush Dogs, etc.). The Republicans continue to demonstrate little inclination to change. If we are going to improve this country, it will be done by marginalizing their agenda, not by triangulating towards it.

[FrenchieCat]

9. What part of "I'll be impressed with the movement if..." did I

misunderstand?

You asked a question, and then gave your answer. I'm responding in kind.

Divisive Politics have more to do with what this country has had to suffer. If you haven't witnessed the last three presidential elections, then I can't help you.

[lwcon]

11. The part where you imagined I said it was single-payer or bust

I do think it's a no-brainer that we should push for single payer, though, and offering STFU to people who want to encourage Obama to make it happen doesn't speak well for the "movement."

"Divisive politics" is the mythical frame that status quo Beltway types want us to believe. What we've suffered from the last 16 years is politics dictated by the radical right and enabled by accommodating Democrats. If only Democrats had been willing to be "divisive" versus countless bad acts during that time!

[AtomicKitten]

5. Short of a Magic 8 ball prediction, we shall see how hope manifests itself starting 1-20-09.

Rumor has it BIG change is coming right out the of the box vis a vis legislation on Obama's desk on day #1.

[Odin2005]

7. There is a tsunami of young adult liberals smashing into the political sphere

in the 1930s young adults supported FDR by an overwhelming margin and put him over the top. same with us current 20-somethings and Obama. There is tons of data that seem to indicate that us "Gen-Yers/Millennials" will be much like the Greatest Generation politically. We are a very pro-Big Government generation, for example. Also like the Greatest Generation, we are technology oriented and secular.

[Emit]

10. Good question, Iwcon

I've been asking similar questions. I suppose it, ultimately, will be what we make it - or what its participants, its paid field organizers and grassroots volunteers make it, I should say.

Check this piece out, from NPR this morning:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98254995

Obama Team Keeps Grass Roots Growing
by Mara Liasson

Listen Now <5 min 8 sec> add to playlist

Morning Edition, December 15, 2008 · While President-elect Barack Obama staffs the top rungs of his administration, his team is paying close attention to the campaign's grass roots. Over the weekend, supporters held "Change Is Coming" house parties across the country. Ten thousand house parties were organized on Obama's social networking Web site.

I thought the comments of one of the "Change Is Coming" house party attendees concerning whether this organization, group, or movement, however it is defined, is the same as the Democratic Party. It is the intent of Obama for America to continue on, independent from the DNC, as this piece explains. How volunteers at local levels and OFA field organizers work all this out will be interesting to see.


edited to add a word

[lwcon]

12. The big question I'm wondering is...

Is this movement all about being foot soldiers for Obama's agenda, or will he (and the movement) live up to the FDR "make me do it" model.

[OhioBlue]

13. I guess it is up to us.

Personally, I will be a foot soldier for Obama's agenda and join the "make me do it model" when I feel either is appropriate.

At our house party yesterday, we discussed more what we can do on a local level - especially with the economy being so bad and seeing so many foreclosures. Our next step is to meet with a person from the homeless coalition to see how we can volunteer. The other action item we discussed is writing to our Reps and Senators to demand oversight & accountability in the $700b bailout.

[Emit]

14. The organization's goals will be to promote legislative issue organizing to support Obama's agenda

and work to win local elections, as well as promote civic engagement.

This spells out the details:

... the goals reached by a meeting of Obama organizers from around the country that had been held in Chicago. Here's the list, apparently what is expected to come out of all this.
1. Organize support for legislation at all levels of government. This includes pushing President Obama's agenda and it also includes organizing around state and local laws/initiatives.

2. Build grassroots electoral strength at all levels, and train and develop grassroots leaders to organize and serve in their communities.

3. Be an organ of two-way communication between the White House and the grassroots, so that each knows and reponds to the priorities of the other.

4. Launch a national, grassroots-driven renewal of civic engagement, again at both the local and national levels.

http://happening-here.blogspot.com/2008/12/obama-for-america-20-change-is-coming.html

Also, they will have an on-the-ground presence around the country with hundreds of paid staff working with volunteers.

I've spoken with quite a few people about this in the past couple of weeks. Many are ready to move forward with this, many are very excited; but many are also interested in voicing their feedback when they are NOT in support of Obama and/or their Reps' position on any given issue. If it truly can live up to its expectations (i.e., providing a means of communication between the WH and grassroots and supporting local issues and elections of good candidates) then more power to it, imho.

[lwcon]

15. The two-way part is essential to taking the high road

Single-payer is a pretty good test case, since it's:

* Demonstrably a good idea: http://www.healthcare-now.org/hr-676/whats-single-payer/
* Something that's been accomplished in every other modern nation
* Something that will help almost all Americans (the very wealthiest can afford treatments that the health insurers refuse to pay)
* Something that will help almost all American businesses (except the blood-sucking health insurers)
* More progressive than Obama and most of Congress are currently prepared to do, while congruent with the PE's stated goals

If this movement is really "about you" and "we're the one's we've been waiting for," it sure would be nice if those who want to push Obama to be his progressive best weren't constantly served STFU like (from this thread) "The movement is not meant to impress you," told, in effect, that anything that Obama himself hasn't championed (even though he has occasionally cited universal healthcare as a goal) is science fiction and is a sin against Beltway-approved "pragmatism."